Camden’s Tylin Drakeford voted preseason HS football Offensive Player of Year
The votes are in, and Camden’s Tylin Drakeford won the vote for The State’s Midlands 2025 Preseason High School Football Offensive Player of the Year.
Thanks for all who voted. There will be a weekly High School Football Player of the Week poll throughout the regular season beginning on Aug. 25.
Coaches can submit their players by emailing Lou Bezjak at lbezjak@thestate.com.
Preseason Offensive Player of Year Nominees
Jayden Boyd, WR, Westwood: The Duke commitment transferred late this summer from Fairfield Central to Westwood. Last season with the Griffins, he had almost 600 yards of total offense and five touchdowns last season and also plays defense.
Kendall Byrd, WR, AC Flora: The senior had a big junior season with 83 catches for 1,104 yards and 10 touchdowns. Byrd was a Class 4A All-State selection.
Nate Carson, OL, Irmo: The junior tackle is the fourth-ranked prospect for SC’s Class of 2027, according to 247Sports. Carson has offers from South Carolina, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida and Florida State, among others.
Tylin Drakeford, ATH, Camden: The senior did it all last season for the Bulldogs. Drakeford had 1,380 all-purpose yards and accounted for 15 touchdowns on offense. On defense, he had 54 tackles, four passes defended and an interception.
Caleb Geronomi, WR, White Knoll: Senior is committed to Richmond and had 63 catches for 975 yards and four touchdowns last season. On defense, he had 32 tackles and one interception.
Tre Howard, QB, Ridge View: Junior is entering his second year as starting quarterback and third year on varsity. Howard completed 65.6% of his passes last year for 2,476 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 298 yards and three touchdowns.
Jamel Howse, TE, Newberry: The senior and South Carolina commitment remade his body in the offseason and should be a huge weapon on both sides of the ball this season for the Bulldogs. Last season, he caught 34 passes for 412 yards.
Khristian Jackson, WR, Ridge View: One of the top prospects in the state for the Class of 2027 was slowed by an injury in the summer but will be ready to go for the Blazers’ offense. Jackson caught 49 passes for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Maleek Miller, RB/WR, Irmo: Junior had a big sophomore season and his role should increase this season. As a sophomore, he caught 55 passes for 914 yards and had 1,758 all-purpose yards with 13 touchdowns.
Roper Wentzky, QB, AC Flora: Senior is entering his third year as starting quarterback. Wentzy completed 62.9% of his passes last season for 2,684 yards with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Amadre Wooden, RB, Batesburg-Leesville: The area’s second-leading rusher from a year ago. During his junior season, Wooden rushed for 2,138 yards (third-most in school history) and had 26 touchdowns.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM.
